Gymnastics in Europe are expected to come from the cold

At Findlerhof Restaurant, above the Swiss village of Zermatt, the stadium is packed.

On the first day of the season in one of Europe’s gymnasiums, workers fly between tables pouring cold champagne and wine, alternating between English, French, Italian and German as they welcome guests from across the region after nearly two years. severe coronavirus-related disorders.

But persistent uncertainty has led to several difficult weeks as restaurants are set to open. The Findlerhof brings most of its food and wine into October before the snow set, but this year it has brought only half of what it would have always been.

“We are all a little cautious, especially here in the mountains,” said Sir Francis Schwery. “We don’t know if the government will close things down for a month or two. Everyone is just a little scared – things can change every day.”

Across the Alps, winter begins with a struggle as memories of spring 2020 grow. Later, an Alpine host such as Ischgl in Austria was well known as the coronavirus superspreaders remained open even though the plague devastated neighboring Italy. Visitors from all over the area shared in the virus-infested bars and took them home, which criticized many countries.

This year the authorities are acting with caution. Austria has been closing since the end of November, as well as the country low vaccination dose, and the emergence of the Omicron brand, has dashed any hopes of a return to normalcy thanks to its multi-billion dollar mountain sports company. Restaurants and bars throughout the area may be reopened on Sunday but gyms should be closed.

In France and Italy, fears of possible sanctions are evident. Last season both countries rose early to close the gymnasium amid fears of repeating the first wave of the epidemic.

French Prime Minister Jean Castex said during a visit to Manigod in Haute-Savoie in November that he wanted to ensure “good weather”. Masks will be essential for promotion, he said, but stressed that this should be highlighted. Covid-19 certificates showing complete vaccination, negative testing or recovery from the disease will be required to reach the slope.

In Italy, only visitors who are fully immunized, who have the wrong tests or who show that they are recovering should be able to enter public places and entertainment, including gymnasiums.

All visitors to Switzerland must undergo PCR testing before departure and re-test for PCR or antigen within four to seven days of arrival. Bern announced Friday that entry into the reception area would require proof of vaccination or recovery in Covid-19. A blood test alone may not be enough.

On November 27, the federal government set up a 10-day stay for immigrants from countries that also mentioned Omicron cases. Bern abolished the law within a week, but in the Alpine mountains the devastation — thousands of reservations in December were abolished.

According to According to NZZ newspaper, a hotel in Zermatt lost the value of € 160,000 a day on private land.

Scott, a London-based man wearing a pair of yellow ski pants on a cable car, said the privacy policy was about to undermine his plans. “I usually have a flood as long as I can,” he said. “It must be extremely harmful to the local people. . . many businesses lost. There has to be a connection. ”

The region offers higher economic value if the winter season is reduced. In the Alps itself, winter tourism controls the local economy, resulting in half of the work being done in some villages in the hot summer months. Exercise generates about half of Switzerland’s tourism revenue, which accounts for about 2.5 percent of all household items, according to government figures. In Austria companies account for 4 percent of GDP, government figures show. By comparison, car manufacturing in Germany generates 5 percent of GDP.

No one wants to repeat last season, when billions of dollars were lost. Self-confidence is key, says Martin Nydegger, head of the Swiss tourism agency. “Living alone is the first phase of tourism, no sugar.”

This year it is estimated that visitors to the country’s slopes will be at least 80 percent of their 2019 interest rate if governments do not panic. He hopes that Switzerland’s record of orderliness and cleanliness will give tourists the confidence that the country is safe and secure.

“We have a working vaccine, we have a trial plan and we have 12 months more,” he said. “The pragmatic, generous approach is really important.”

While there is no guarantee, in Zermatt preparations are underway for the big holiday season parties. Christine Villano, manager of Elsie’s wine shop, recalled last New Year’s Eve, throwing away lobsters, caviar and oysters bought on the eve of a disbanded party when the venue closed on December 28. They did not. back to work all winter.

“It was really bad. . . It was a lot of money to lose and we cried. We are a minority, and we just buy fresh food, ”he said.

Villano remained optimistic for the coming weeks. On a Friday evening recently, Elsie’s was packed with guests, inviting Bordeaux and Burgundy and enjoying a bowl of snails and melting Belper Knolle, a local cheese.

“We are not sure what the next few weeks will be. We have to wait every day and see what happens with this new nation, “he said.” Of course, the government must do what is right. But this has been going on for a long time, and we have done everything they asked us, and vaccines, and masks, and traveled far and wide. . . we need to think about our lives. ”